Chapter 203: Chapter 203: A Purgatory for Cultivators, a Paradise for Mortals

The day after Perfected Chong Guang’s reincarnation, World Purger Fei Xue personally came out of seclusion to take command. She then summoned Perfected Yin Shan and Lü Yang to Holy Fire Cliff.

“This southern campaign will be led by Yuan Tu.”

World Purger Fei Xue sat at the head of the hall and stated calmly, “I will personally oversee this to ensure no Perfected Lords interfere in the southern campaign.”

“Furthermore, most Great Truemen at Foundation Establishment Perfection will not get involved. Everyone is selfish. For them, having Perfected Chong Guang pave the way is a blessing, so they won’t put any real effort into stopping this. As for the Great Truemen in the Late Stage of Foundation Establishment, they are mostly focused on achieving Perfection and will also stay out of it.”

“Besides, Perfected Chong Guang has already made arrangements.”

“Even if some Great Truemen do join the battle, you need not worry. They will be dealt with. Your opponents will only be those in the Mid-phase and Early Stage of Foundation Establishment.”

Lü Yang breathed a sigh of relief. “I accept my orders.”

’Perfected Chong Guang’s arrangements were reassuring. He wasn’t being asked to fight above his level. He only had to face cultivators in the Mid-phase and Early Stage, and he felt reasonably confident about that!’

“Very good.”

World Purger Fei Xue nodded, a murderous aura flashing in her eyes. “This time, I want you to invade Qing Country, annihilate their sects, and deprive them of their Spirit Veins!”

“Qing Country is a thorn the Dao Court has driven into our North. It governs five major Foundation Establishment powers: the Zhaoxia Clan, the Yuan Chen Clan, the Five Elements Sect, the Panyun Sect, and the Upper Profound Sword Sect. The Upper Profound Sword Sect leads the other four. Its Sect Leader is backed by the Sword Pavilion, and his Cultivation has now reached Mid-stage Foundation Establishment Perfection…”

World Purger Fei Xue gave a simple briefing.

For a Perfected Lord, the details of mere Foundation Establishment powers were as clear as the lines on her own palm. Since she was the one speaking, there could not be the slightest error in her words.

Finally, World Purger Fei Xue stated crisply:

“This concerns Chongguang Gold. Once you head south, do not hold back. Kill, plunder, destroy… I’ve long considered that Marvel in Qing Country an eyesore!”

Without a second word, Lü Yang immediately bowed low.

“I humbly accept the Perfected Lord’s Decree!”

…….

A moment later, Lü Yang and Perfected Yin Shan mounted their Flying Lights and departed the Sea of Clouds. Of course, Perfected Chong Guang hadn’t assigned only the two of them to the southern campaign.

In fact, they were more like the main coordinators.

With World Purger Fei Xue giving the order personally, the mobilization was far stronger than the past campaign against the Divine Martial Sect. At the Perfected Lord’s single written command, the entire North had responded.

Apparently, Perfected Chong Guang had been making arrangements for a long time. Qing Country was now completely surrounded by the various major and minor sects from the North. The two sides had been locked in a stalemate for several months, like a powder keg waiting for someone to light the fuse.

Along the way, Lü Yang made sure to speak with Perfected Yin Shan.

“Although the Perfected Lord has ordered me to take the lead this time, I am young and inexperienced, not nearly as steady and seasoned as you, Senior Brother Yin Shan.”

“Therefore, I must ask you for guidance, Senior Brother, to help cover any of my shortcomings.”

“…You’re being too serious, Yuan Tu.”

Perfected Yin Shan waved his hand dismissively, though his expression showed he was quite pleased. Lü Yang’s respectful attitude had clearly made him feel highly respected.

Besides, the two were in the same boat this time, so Perfected Yin Shan didn’t hold back. Returning the courtesy, he said, “Junior Brother, do not underestimate Qing Country. Senior Brother Chong Guang and I once divined its Karma Links and studied it carefully. The Dao Court has truly forged that Marvel to be as impregnable as an iron fortress.”

“Or rather, that’s just how the Dao Court’s system is.”

“They may be lacking when it comes to outward expansion, but in defending their own territory, Qing Country is like an eternal kingdom. Its rules are incredibly difficult to subvert.”

’The Dao Court’s system… Heaven’s Mandate Dao?’

Lü Yang’s brow furrowed. He had never actually visited the territory of another power; he hadn’t even properly explored his own home, the North.

’This trip is an opportunity, then.’

At this thought, Lü Yang looked back at Perfected Yin Shan and asked curiously, “Senior Brother, please tell me, what exactly is so different about Qing Country, or the Dao Court for that matter?”

Perfected Yin Shan was silent for a moment before continuing.

“To put it simply: a Purgatory for Cultivators, a Paradise for mortals.”

“Mere words are a shallow substitute for experience. I can tell you about it, but you won’t truly grasp it. Once we’re there, you’ll understand when you see it for yourself.”

…….

「The North, Qing Country.」

This Marvel encompassed five provinces and had a population of over a million. Beyond it lay the Great Dragon River, which served as the dividing line between the powers of the four cardinal directions.

After Lü Yang and Perfected Yin Shan quietly arrived on their Flying Lights, they didn’t rush to meet the forces gathered from the North. Instead, they first entered a sparsely populated city currently garrisoned by the Xiangqu Sect, a Demon Sect from the North.

“This place was originally under the rule of Qing Country.”

Perfected Yin Shan explained, “Although they’ve been driven out, Qing Country’s influence remains, and the area has yet to fully recover.”

“Hmph…”

Lü Yang looked surprised. With a sudden gesture, he summoned a book through the air, one that had been hidden away by a family in the city.

The cover bore two large words: *Daoist Canon*!

“The Dao Court governs by using the *Daoist Canon* to select its scholars. Only mortals who pass the examinations and earn a title can become Cultivators. Without a title, one is merely practicing Wild Fox Zen.”

“Therefore, the first step of cultivation is to study the *Daoist Canon* and pass the Child Examination.”

“Next are Scholar, followed by the two ranks of Advanced Scholar… However, these are all just preparatory roles for Cultivators. They grant a title, but no actual Cultivation.”

“Only after achieving the highest rank of Advanced Scholar, and then greasing some palms, finding a master, and networking, can one finally receive the Dao Court’s grace and be granted an Official Position in an outlying region. Only then have they truly entered the gate of cultivation. But even so, under the Dao Court’s rule, these title-holding mortals are not to be trifled with.”

“This is because, under the Dao Court, the Ten Thousand Laws are forbidden!”

“Cultivators below the Foundation Establishment realm who lack a title or official status from the Dao Court—even those at the Final-phase of Qi Refining—are unable to display the slightest hint of supernatural ability.”

“Because in the Dao Court, all Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi is subject to ownership.”

“Every wisp of Spiritual Qi belongs to the Dao Court. A Cultivator without a title who performs Breathing exercises with Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi is considered to be stealing state property, an offense punishable by the execution of their entire clan.”

“Under these circumstances, any mortal with a title can cause an illegal Cultivator to collapse in a paralyzed heap with just a furious shout.”

The *Daoist Canon* even contained a specific account of such an event. It told of a Ninth-Grade County Magistrate in Qing Country who earned the hatred of an illegal Cultivator. This Cultivator had refined a Formless Flying Sword and attempted an assassination, but the magistrate’s single, sharp rebuke caused the sword to fall from the sky, its Mana completely dissipated. The Cultivator was then beaten to death by the magistrate’s guards…

’…What a Dao Court!’

Reading this, Lü Yang finally understood what Perfected Yin Shan had meant. Such a system was, without a doubt, a Purgatory for Cultivators.

’As for it being a Mortal Paradise…’

’I’m not so sure about that,’ Lü Yang thought, his gaze darkening.

Admittedly, under the Dao Court, the common people lived in peace and prosperity with favorable conditions, but the class structure was completely rigid, with almost no room for upward mobility.

’In essence, they’re still just herding people like cattle.’

’The Dao Court just has better table manners, that’s all…’

’Does feeding an animal until it’s fat and content stop it from being livestock? It’s all just for show. Eventually, it’s still going to be slaughtered!’

’When that time comes, the people under the Dao Court won’t even have the power to resist!’

’After all, even in the North, under the rule of the Stain Sect, major sects have produced their own Perfected Lords. If anyone tried to herd the people of the North like cattle, they would be met with resistance.’

’But in the East, that would never happen.’

’With a single decree from the Daoist Court Emperor, countless people could die without facing any resistance. Under the Dao Court, those in the Upper Position hold absolute power of life and death over those in the Lower Position!’

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